Ekiti State Ordered to Pay Ex-Deputy Governor N10 Million Damages and Back Entitlements

A court judgment compels the Ekiti State Government to pay all outstanding emoluments to its former Deputy Governor, Sikiru Tae Lawal, along with N10 million in damages. Lawal served as deputy governor until October 15, 2010, when a Court of Appeal ruling nullified the election that brought him and then-Governor Segun Oni into office. Following his unexpected exit, Lawal contended that the state government denied him his monthly stipends, severance allowance, and gratuity, despite having served without impeachment during his tenure.

The state government had argued Lawal was not entitled to any benefits, asserting his term was legally invalid due to the nullified election. However, the National Industrial Court, sitting in Abuja, dismissed this argument. The court declared the non-payment of Lawal's pension, severance benefits, monthly stipend with arrears, and other entitlements under the Ekiti State Grant of Pensions Law, as amended in 2014 and 2015, unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, and unjustifiable. This judgment clarifies that the nullification of an election does not negate a former office holder's right to earned benefits.

The court specifically ordered the Ekiti State Government to calculate and pay Lawal all outstanding benefits and accumulated arrears from October 15, 2010, up to the judgment date, with payments continuing thereafter as due under the law. Furthermore, the court awarded N10 million against the defendants in aggravated and exemplary damages. These damages address the government’s "oppressive, arbitrary, and unconstitutional conduct" in withholding Lawal's vested entitlements for over a decade. The judgment also stipulates a 10% annual post-judgment interest on the total amount until full payment occurs.

This ruling underscores the legal obligations of state governments to former political office holders, clarifying their entitlement to benefits even when tenures end unexpectedly by court order. It reinforces the judiciary's role in upholding the rights of individuals against state actions deemed unconstitutional or arbitrary. All eyes will now be on how swiftly the Ekiti State Government complies with this comprehensive financial directive, setting a precedent for similar disputes across the country.